Page 25 of Sugar, Sprinkles, and Secrets
“Would you prefer I quote Sir Mix-a-Lot? Because his hit also applies in this situation.” I reach down and grab her ass to pull her on top of me as she giggles. But just as she straddles me, we hear a little voice from down the hall. “Zia? Max?”
At the sound of Mila calling out for us, we both quickly get out of bed and scramble to check on the kids. Dante wakes soon after, and I get the honor of making three of my favorite people breakfast in my kitchen.
I know there are a lot of details to figure out with their situation, but I also know that nothing will come between me and them ever again—and there’s no need to make a wish about it, I’m keeping all three of them.
Chapter nineteen
I place the final single-serving of tiramisu in the display case and can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. I wasn’t sure how the more complex recipes would go over, but I can hardly keep these little desserts in stock. It’s my bad for doubting Forrest Falls—after they devoured my cannoli, I should have known they were ready for any and all Italian desserts that I bake.
“That’s the last tray other than the special order for the Johnsons that I need to frost quick,” Betty tells me as she slides in a tray of Christmas cut-out sugar cookies at the other end of the display case.
“Thanks, Betty. Why don’t you frost that cake and then head out for the holiday?”
“Are you sure? I can stick around and help with closing up for the day.”
I wave my hand in front of my face, shooing away her suggestion. “No need, Max will be around if I need an extra set of hands, but really, it’s minimal after almost selling out.” I glance at the clock over the counter. “It’s not even ten a.m. and the sign has said all week that we were closing at noon or when we were sold out—whatever happens first!”
“You should be proud of the fact that I don’t think you will make it to noon, dear. I know I’m proud of you.” Betty pulls me into a hug and damn near makes me cry in the middle of my own bakery. After admitting everything to Max, I’m no longer hiding from the people I care about. We aren’t broadcasting everything yet—not until after the trial and it’s safe for Luca to come home—but weare that much closer. When I told Betty, she cried more than I did and proclaimed she was officially adopting all of us, even though I think she did that over a year ago.
Max told me he would be done with work by ten this morning, and he just had a few things to take care of in the office before he’s off until the new year. Like I conjured him by thinking of his handsome face, the front door of Sprinkles opens and Max’s hungry gaze snaps to mine—as if we weren’t just wrapped up in each other this morning before I left for work. His presence lights my face up like a Christmas tree and I’m unable to play it cool, not even trying to hide how excited I am to see him. He is wearing a dark navy sweater over a red plaid button-up shirt and looks like an Americana fever dream.
“Hey baby, how’s it going?” His eyes crinkle as he grins, showcasing that little scar through his right eyebrow.
“Hi you! It’s been a good morning. I don’t think we are going to last until noon!” I gesture at the near-empty display cases.
“You won’t.” He shrugs and grins as the door opens behind him.
“Hey, Cara,” Jack greets me with a head nod. After everything happened, I will forever feel like I owe Jack Callahan, despite what he says. He connected us with his brother, who in turn literally helped save Dante and Mila.
“Merry Christmas, Jack. What can I get you?” I ask with a smile.
“I’ll take … all of that,” he says as he gestures to my three display cases, which are near empty but there are still too many pastries and desserts for one person.
“I’m sorry, all of it?” I squeak.
“Yeah, my siblings and I are going over to deliver toys to the children’s wing at the hospital, and I like to have treats for the families and medical staff to help ease the fact of being in the hospital over the holidays. I have a bunch of cinnamon rolls from Java Jive already ordered but then realized I should have placed an order with you, so I apologize for my lack of foresight on that.”
“Uh, consider yourself forgiven since you’re clearing me out for the day!” I explain as Betty comes up front and helps me package the remaining pastries and baked goods.
“Dude is trying to steal my moves, so let the record show, I did this first,” Max says with a wink as he and Jack take multiple trips to a truck backed up in front of the bakery. As I hand him the last box of goodies, another SUV pulls up, and I recognize Jack’s brother Ryan and his brother-in-law Walker in the front seat. I also notice the backseat is overflowing with wrapped gifts. I wave to them as they honk in greeting and take the gifts and treats off to brighten some very special patients’ day.
Betty refuses to leave me to the clean-up, but between Max, her, and me, we quickly get everything cleaned up and reset for when we open the day after Christmas.
Walking into Max’s loft, I hear a shrill scream, but it doesn’t sound like Mila or Dante. I rush into the living room, only to see Max’s brother Chase faking a death by Nerf gun. Judging by his other brother Tommy’s pose on the ground, he was taken out first.
“I will avenge my brother. I shall return!” Chase gasps before falling dramatically onto the couch.
“Zia! We got ‘em!” Mila squeals as she runs into my arms.
“I’m so glad. I’m sorry we missed the battle,” I tell her as I kiss her on the top of her head and steal one more hug before putting her down.
“It’s okay, we have extra guns for you guys. I want to be on Max’s team this time!” Mila yells as she runs down the hall.
“Rude, girl! I thought we bonded before you killed me!” Tommy calls after her with a grin on his face.
Cami slides into the room in fluffy socks that soar across Max’s wood floors. “I second that, girlfriend! Where is the loyalty?”
“Just be on my team with me, Cami!” Mila yells back and Cami shrugs before running after her.
